How to Check Car Oil

Car oil, also sometimes also referred to as motor oil, engine oil, or just plain oil provides the lubrication needed to prevent metal-on-metal contact at high speeds with tons of friction. Oil, in other words, enables things to go smoothly, quite literally speaking. Some folks like to think of oil as analogous to synovial fluid, lubricating the “joints” in a vehicle’s engine and drivetrain. It’s undoubtedly true that oil is important, and so is making sure your vehicle has enough of it. That’s why all of us at the Ide Honda service center are here to help you learn how to check the oil level in your car.

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Check your owner’s manual first. It will detail more about how to check the oil level in your particular vehicle. After all, some cars use dipsticks, and each one has a dipstick in a different location. Then again, many newer Honda have digital oil gauges. That said, here’s a general guide to checking oil level in most vehicles with dipsticks:

1. Park the car on level ground and check that the engine is turned off and cold. If it is hot let it sit longer until it is cold. 
2. Open the vehicle’s hood and locate the dipstick.
3. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe it off.
4. Put the dipstick back all the way back into its receptacle, then pull it out and look at both sides to see where the level is.

Dipstick Pro Tip: Dipsticks usually have some method of finding where the sufficient oil level range is. If the top of your oil streak is between two marks or within a cross-hatched area, the level is good. 

If it isn’t, you’ll have to add more oil. Just be sure to buy the grade recommended in the owner’s manual, remove the oil filler cap, then add oil a little at a time until the dipstick indicates you’ve reached the proper level. Prefer to let us handle it? Schedule oil service in Rochester online.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Now you know how to check your car’s oil level. But why should you do it, and how often?

You need enough oil in your car to properly grease internal moving parts and reduce friction. Think of opening and closing a sliding door that gets stuck; if there isn’t enough grease in the track, things won’t run smoothly. So ensuring that there is enough, via an oil level check can remedy this type of situation.

How to Reset an Oil Change Light

The general process is the same for most cars, although there may be slight differences among different %%di_makes% models. 

One Important Note: you will only want to reset the oil change light if you’ve actually changed your oil or had it done and they forgot to reset the light; if you miss an oil change, it could damage your engine.

How to Reset Oil Change Lights in Five Steps

1. Turn off all vehicle systems, but keep the engine running.
2. Locate the “reset” button or stick on the dash (usually this is found near the speedometer and fuel gauge).
3. Hold the button down until the oil change light begins to flash (sign of resetting may differ per vehicle).
4. Turn the ignition off. Next, wait a few seconds
5. Turn your car back on. Now your oil light should be reset!

Let the Ide Honda Service Team Keep Your Car in Prime Condition

Ready to get your vehicle into tip top shape? Ide Honda can help. Save more on your next oil change or other oil-related service with our money-saving service specials and discounts.